The introduction of industrial park development in Ethiopia is currently a topical issue. Both thernGovernment and private developers are working on the development of industrial parks inrndifferent part of the country and some of them have started operation while the others arernwaiting for their completion. The main objective of this study is to exploring the experiences ofrnindustrial park developments in African countries, focusing on identifying main opportunitiesrnand challenges and lessons from and to Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data sourcesrnwere used. Documents, key informant interview and focused group discussion were among thernmain data collection instruments used to examine and show industrial development practices inrnthe continent and Ethiopiaâ€™s Bole Lemi and Hawassa industrial parks in particular. Officials andrnexperts from Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation and Ethiopian InvestmentrnCommission, human resource managers from nine different companies, industrial parkrnmanagers and employees of manufacturing enterprises have responded the interview questions;rnhouseholds who are evicted due to industrial parks constructions have also participated in thernfocused group discussion and different documents reviewed. Data have been interpreted throughrntheoretical basis, basic standard, conception and comparative approach. The findings of thernstudy indicated that the industrial park development across the continent varies in terms periodsrnof establishment, opportunities and challenges witnessed in specific countries. Embarking onrnindustrial park development, Ethiopia has attracted foreign direct investment, generatedrnrevenue, staged technology and skill transfer and created ample jobs. It offered investorsrnincentive packages, cheap labor and access to market with its attractive investment and legalrnframework. The challenges in Ethiopian IPs are identified as high labor turnover, inadequacy ofrninfrastructure facilities, poor trade logistics and customs procedures, lack of access to foreignrnexchanges and weak linkages of IPs with local economy. It also lacks strong coordination amongrnactors in the sector, experience and shortage of raw materials. It is also tested by lack of peacernand stability. Thus, at this level of their performance, industrial parks have little impact on therncountryâ€™s economy. While Ethiopia carries on expansion of industrial park development andrnindustrializations, it needs to consider building industrial culture and discipline, set a minimumrnwage, establish market chain and strategically identify industry locations. Ethiopia should alsornbe vigilant on peace and stability issues.rnKeywords: Industrial park, opportunities, challenges, foreign direct investment, employment,rntechnology and skill transfer, Ethiopia